Current and potential fleet customers asked and General Motors listened. The Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana full-size vans will be compatible with compressed natural gas and liquefied petroleum gas straight off the assembly line for the 2011 model year.

Beginning this fall, both GM vans will be fitted with revised Vortec 6.0-liter V-8 engines with strengthened exhaust valves and intake and exhaust valve seats. A dedicated gaseous fuel injection and storage system will meet EPA and CARB certification requirements, all while carrying GM's new-vehicle warranty.

"We've made choosing a CNG or LPG van easier for our customers," said Joyce Mattman, director of GM's commercial products and specialty vehicles. "No other manufacturer offers a commercial CNG or LPG option that provides a solution with this level of support and availability."

The CNG-capable vans will be available in cargo van form starting later this year. The LPG-ready Express and Savana models will bow as cutaway models in early 2011.

"We're listening to our fleet customers and dealers about offering options that help them achieve their business objectives", said Brian Small, general manager of GM's fleet and commercial operations. "The industry commitment to expand the CNG and LPG infrastructure in key fleet markets was an enabler to allowing us to introduce these options now."

GM will also be introducing the new LGH-series Duramax diesel engine for the full-size vans, which shares the same architecture as the more prominent LML Duramax equipped in the 2011 Silverado HD and Sierra HD.